Frustrations about a dip in the pathway which floods when it rains are at a high following years of complaints.

The giant puddle, which forms on the green by Alzey Gardens and Aldwickbury Crescent in Harpenden, blocks the pathway used by many pupils of High Beeches primary to get to school.

The patch of water spills across the path and the green and has been appearing in the same spot for years, despite residents calling for action on numerous occasions.

Jo Jenkinson, 46, of Meadway, Harpenden, has had children at the school for the past seven years. She said: “When High Beeches school was expanded a couple of years ago there was a general understanding that the path would be addressed by the council then; it still hasn’t.

“At the beginning and end of the school day you have children in their expensive school shoes, mums with babies in buggies, toddlers on scooters etc all trying to pick their way through the flood and mud to get the children to school on time without wet feet or paddling mud through the carpeted areas of the classrooms.”

The pathway is not only used by schoolchildren but also the elderly due to the close proximity to the Willow Court Care Home.

In addition, he school is expanding and staff there are encouraging families to walk to ease traffic congestion.

Jo added: “During the day it is a cut through for lots of pedestrians, dog walkers etcetera, young and old. The only alternative route is a very long diversion along Aldwickbury Crescent, down Crabtree Lane, along Topstreet way and back up Piggotshill and into Alzey Gardens.”

A St Albans district council spokesman said: “We are aware of the problem which appears to be caused by heavy rainfall and a depression in the ground.

“One of our engineers has been on site to investigate and to see if there is an affordable solution.”